Intebior building wall structure



Sept. 6, 1932. H. WALTERS 1,

INTERIOR BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed July 27, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEY- P 1932- H. L. WALTERS 1,876,528

INTERIOR BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed July 27, 1951 Sheets-Sheet 2 f] i2. .111 El. :1.

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Sept. 6, 1932. H. L. WALTERS 1,876,528

INTERIOR BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed July 27. 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 6, 1932 PATIENT O FFICE HUGO L. WALTERS, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO INTERIOR IBIII'IIIZIDING' WALL STRUCTURE Applicationfiled Iu1y 27, 1931.

This invention relates to interior building wall structures of metal.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved metalwall structure 5 which will be light in weight and easil in- Serial No.558,386.

Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2' andFig. 9 is a section talren substantially on stalled, but which will besound proo and the line 99 of Fig. 2.

durable.

It is a further object to produce a structure which may be embodied as aremovable par- 10 tition but which will give the appearance andhave theadvantages of a solid wall structure.

It is a further object to provide a removable metal partition which wheninstalled 16 will remain firmly in place, but will leave no scars uponthe building when removed.

This invention is particularly useful for oflice buildings where it isdesired to partition space to suit the individual tenant, and to 20change the partitioning at will to meet new conditions or to suitdifferent tenants. It is accordingly that embodiment of the inventionwhich is chosen for illustration.

The invention accordingly comprises the 2 features of metalconstruction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, whichwill be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and thescope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aperspective elevation of a room corner showing two forms of metalpartition embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through a metal partition as shown on theleft hand side of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the partition shown'on the righthand side of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line H in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective detail of the re- 50 taining screw.

The construction shown in Figures 3 and 5, however, forms a part ofcopending appliggiion Serial Number 623,587, filed July 20,

Partition walls of metal can be economically constructed and installedbut they are not sound proof and this is a serious drawback in offices.The use of building blocks of asbestos, gypsum and the like may be madeto give a relative] good insulating partition, but it requires that thepartition be built into place. This is expensive and disturbing to theoffice and requires a considerable time. Moreover, when such a partitionis to be removed, it has to be wrec ed and discarded.

In accordance with this invention, I provide a metal partition which hasthe sound insulating properties combined with the ease of installationand removal referred to.

The direct passage of sound through a partition is dependent uponsetting up a sympathetic resonance of the air waves on both sides of thepartition, partly through crevices in or beside the partition and partlythrough vibration of the partition itself.

If a room be divided by a metal sheet, sound will be transmitted betweenthe sides quite readily, because the partition itself acts as soundingboard vibrating to the sound waves and transmits its motion partlydirectly to the air on the other side of the partition, and partly tothe floor and ceilings which are set in vibration and in turn transmitthis vibration to the air beyond the partition.

In accordance with this invention, I obtain the structural advantages ofa stiff fiat metal sheet without the disadvantages of soundtransmission.

In the drawings the numerals 10 and 11 represent the floor and ceilingof a room or floor of a building, respectively between which thepartition is to extend.

The partition itself comprises a series of metal panels adapted toextend from the floor ill) to the ceiling, the panels being arranged toconnect with each other to form any length of wall desired.

Referring to the construction illustrated 1n Figs. 2 and 4, eachpartitionpanel comprises a rectangular frame comprlsmg spaced metalupright members 12 preferably channelshaped in cross-section, a lowerhorizontal member 14, an upper horizontal member 19, and spacedintermediate horizontal members 18, all of said horizontal membersextending between the upright members 12. The lower horizontal member 14is preferably 1n the shape of an inverted channel 15 having itsdepending side flanges extending horizontally outwardly at 1616 and thenupwardly to provide upwardly extending side flanges 1717 spacedoutwardly from the depending sides of the inverted channel 15.

The upper horizontal member 19 is preferably channel-shaped incross-section and has its flanges 21--21 extendin upwardly, as shown inFig. 2. Similarly, t e intermediate cross members 18 are channel-shapedin crosssection and have their flanges 2020 extending upwardly.Furthermore, the flanges 21---21 and 20-20 preferably lie in the sameplane as the side flanges 17-17 for receiving the side panels to belater described.

The vertical upright members 12 are supported on the lower horizontalmembers 14 and are secured thereto by angles 14 attached to the members12 and 14 in any suitable manner. The ends of the horizontal members 18and 19 are formed with narrowed tongue portions 12 which are bentupwardly to extend between the flanges of the upright members 12 and arerigidly secured to the webs cf the upright members 12, as indicated inFig. 9.

The adjacent panel section may have, if desired, a corresponding uprightmember which may be secured to the uprightmember 12, or, if desired, thehorizontal members may be secured directly to the upright member 12, asshown in Figs. 7 and 9.

The upper horizontal member 19 of the frame 13 carries a thrust bracket22 adapted to receive a screw stud 23 and to transmit the thrust thereofto the frame 13. This thrust bracket preferably has two horizontalmembers 24 and 25, the member 24 being designed to embrace the threadedportion 26 of the stud 23, and the other member being slotted to receivean extended non-circular portion 27 of the stud 23, to permit the studto move longitudinally but to prevent it from turning. The stud 23 isarranged to extend upwardly to exert pressure against the ceiling, andis provided with a nut 28 and a lock nut 29 for that purpose.

At the top of the partition there is provided a top horizontal member 30similar in shape to the lower member 14 of the frame 13 but invertedwith respect thereto, and havnet/ease ing downwardly extending ends 31and 310 corresponding to the ends 17 and 17a. The stud 23 is adapted tobear against the central portion 32 of the member 30.

In order to cause a continuous tight fitting between the partition andthe fioor and ceiling and walls and at the same time prevent soundvibrations from being transmitted to the floor and ceiling and wallsfrom the partition, a cushioning means is provided at both top, bottomand ends which is sufiiciently'flexible and adjustable relative to theframe 13 to lie flat against the floor or ceiling throughout its length.

This cushion member is substantially the same for both floor and ceilingand comprises blocks 33 and 34 of a shape to fit within the channel 15and within the corresponding channel in the member 30, and to extendoutwardly beneath the flat portion 16 and 16a to prevent contact betweenthe members 14 and 30 and the fioor and ceiling respectively. Theseblocks 33 and 34 have each a member 35 or 36 lying flat upon their tops,in position to be engaged by screws 37 and 38, threaded within themembers 14 and 30 respectively. A plurality of these screws are providedat spaced intervals, throughout the length of the members 14 and 30. Theblocks 33 and 34 may be made of any suitable elastic material, as forexample, felt or rubber, and the screws 37 and 38 are adapted to holdthe elastic materlal in contact with the floor or ceiling throughout itslength.

With the above construction, it will be clear that the frame 13 may beinstalled by first adjusting the screws 37 at the bottom to bring thelower cushion in thorough contact with the floor; then by adjusting thescrews 38 to bring the upper cushion parallel to the face of theceiling; whereupon the nuts 28 and 29 may be forced downwardly upon thestuds 23 to exert pressure between the cushions and the floor andceiling, thereby holding the frame firmly in place without marking thefloor or ceiling.

Sheet metal members 39, comprising a face 40, provided with an adjoininginsulating material such as asbestos or felt slabs 41 for sounddeadening purposes, are attached to the frame 13, one of said sheetmetal members 39 being upon each side of the frame and attached thereto.

A practical means of attaching is illustrated comprising bracket members42 having a portion 43 preferably in contact with and attached to theback of the metal facing and having a metal hook portion 44 ex tendingthrough the insulating member 41 in position to cooperate with theupstanding end 20 of the bracket 18, it being understood that similarmetal hooks connect with each of the members 17, 17a, 20a, 21 and 21a,one only being described. An insulating member 45, as for example, offelt, may be used to surround the upper end of the upstanding member 20to afford a firm mechanical sound insulated connection, between theupstanding portion 20 and the bracket 42.

With this construction, it will be clear that although the faces 40 ofthe two opposite metal sheet members are firmly connected together bymeans of the hooks 42 and the member 18, that the continuity of theconnection for purposes of sound transmission is broken at bothinsulating points to prevent or minimize the transmission of sound fromone face to the other, and that a dead air pocket is provided to furtherbreak up sound vibrations further assisted by insulation 41 whichabsorbs vibrations and deadens sound caused by external contact.

At the top of the partition there may be provided auxiliary sheet metalmembers 46 adapted to cover the space between the top of the sheetmembers 39 and the ceiling; these sheet members 46 are also of a metalfacing p 47 and an insulating member 48 similar to the sheet members 39.

Brackets 49, having hook portions 50, embrace the ends 31 and 31a of theceiling member 30, while another bracket 51, also extending through theinsulating member 48, is adapted to engage the top of the sheet member39 to retain the lower end of the sheet member 46 in place. Brackets 52and 53 may be placed at the top and bottom of the partition to receive ametal ceiling trim 54 and a metal base board trim 55 respectively.

As illustrated in Figure 4, a vertical member 60 and cushion 60a may beprovided having the general shape and contour of the member 30 andcushion member 34 respectively for the purpose of filling in between theedge of the metal panel and the side wall. This vertical member 60 maybe carried by the frame 13 of the partition and screws 61a presls thecushion member 61 against the side wal Auxiliary metal sheet members 62are arranged to cover the space between the sheet members of the mainpanel and the wall. They are supported by metal brackets 63 engagingprojecting ends 64 of the member 60 as has been described for thebrackets 43. A fillet 64a may be used in the corner if desired.

A hook shape metal bracket 66 is attached to one of the sheet members ofone panel and a similar bracket 67 is attached to the adjacent metalsheet member of the other panel. The bracket 66 is of a shape to extendover and engage the flange 65a of the upright 12 of the frame 13 but itis separated therefrom by an insulating strip 68 and the bracket 67 isof a shape to extend over and engage the bracket 66. In this manner themetal sheet members are firmly attached to the framework, but forpurposes of sound transmission they are thoroughly insulated from it. -A

frame 69 may be employed to cover the joint between the sheet members,having inner projections 69a, adapted to spring over the ends of a Cshaped support 691), which is firmly attached to one of the panels.

In the construction of Figure 3, the wall consists primaril of twosurface metal sheet members 70 and 1 and an intermediate sheet member72, each comprising a metal face 73 and an insulating member as ofasbestos felt 74. A frame 75 is rovided between each two sheet members.Each is in most respects similar to the corresponding frame 13, savethat one tsiiie of the frame 75, which is adapted to be toward the outersheet member 70 or 71, is provided with means for attachment to thesheet member while that side which is toward the intermediate member 72is adapted to rest against said member 72 to held it in place.

To accomplish this result, the frame 75 is rovided with abottom member76 similar to the member 14 and at the top of the panel there isprovided a top member 77 similar to the member 30. The member 76,however, is provided at its outer side with a channel 78 in position toreceive the sheet member 74 and the member 77 is provided with a channel79 adapted to receive a top sheet member 80 corresponding to the sheetmember 48 of the previous modification.

Brackets 81 and 82 intermediate of the frame 75 have ends 83 and 84corresponding to the projections 20 and 21 on the members 18 and 19respectively, save that in this modi-' fication the upstanding ends 83and 84 may directly engage the brackets 85 and 86 respectively withoutthe necessity of intermediate insulation and in a similar way thechannels 78 and 79 may directly receive their sheet membersrespectively, since as will be hereinafter brought out, the intermediatemember 72 forms a complete insulation between one face of the partitionand the other.

The inner end of the members 76 and 77 and of the brackets 81 and 82respectively is bent to form a flat face designated generally at 87, torest against the intermediate sheet member 72 and retain the latter inplace. This intermediate sheet member 72 has two sliding sections 72 and88 to make it adjustable to varying heights of buildings and these areheld together after adjustment in any convenient manner.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, it will be seenthat the intermediate insulating sheet member is held in place by thetwo frameworks 75 and that the outer or surface sheet members are heldin place respectively by attachment to the two frameworks.

It will be understood that the members 76 and 77 are adapted tocooperate with cushion blocks 90 and 91 in the same manner that theplates 14 and 30 cooperate with the cushion blocks 33 and 34, throughthe medium of screws 92 and 93'.

As will be seen from Figure 5, vertical members 95 may be provided ofcross section Si nilar to the cross section of the members 76, havingfiat inner faces 96 to engage the face of the intermediate members 72and having outwardly projecting portions 97 adapted to engage hooks 98similar to the hooks 63 before described. Cushion blocks 99 cooperatewith the members 95 and screws 99a perform the function heretoforedescribed for the screws 61a.

Attaching to one panel is a bracket 101 having an extending portionadapted to extend behind and furnish support to the adjacent rear faceof the adjacent panel as shown at 102 and to hook around and besupported by the flanges of the upright 100 of the frame 75. The upright100 has also a horizontal projecting flange 105 adapted to rest againstthe inner sheet member 72 and to be embraced by a hook 106 carried bysaid inner sheet member. The hook 107 which embraces the projection 105on at least one of the panels 7 0 or 71 is separated from the projection105 by an insulating member 108 to prevent the direct sound transmissionfrom one panel to the other. The hooks 106 and 107 thus serve to holdthe panels together.

The construction of Figure 7 may be employed to join the panel to theframework at any point desired and to efiect a secure butsound-insulating connection. For example, if it is desired firmly toattach the panel 71 to the upright 100, we may provide an opening 114considerably larger than the bolt 115 with which the parts are to bejoined. Into this opening 114 is inserted an insulating Washer 116 oflead or felt or other sound insulating material of a shape to receivethe compressive force of the bolt, but to prevent direct contact betweenthe bolt and the panel.

By the above construction, it will be seen that an efiicient economicalpartition is devised which may be conveniently made out of inexpensivestructural materials, such as sheet metal and asbestos or feltinsulation which, nevertheless, will be substantially sound proofbecause it does not afford any direct means of sound transmissionbetween one face of the partition and the other face and any resonatingeffect in their face is dampened by its immediate contact with the soundinsulating material. Moreover, by reason of the cushion effect in thecontact with the floor, the ceiling and the side walls, not only is atight joint made to prevent direct sound transmission through orifices,but also such resonating effect which may take place in the partitionsis not transmitted to the floor and such resonating effect as may takeplace in the floor itself, is dampened by the cushion.

It will be understood that the outer faces of the partition may bepainted, papered,

amaze treated with a plastic finishing composition or finished in anyother manner desired or the panel may be supplied ready for erectionalready finished upon its interior. Moreover, while I have suggested themaking of the panel of metal and asbestos, this is in part for purposesof economy and convenience and it is within the broad scope of thisinvention to employ other dampening materials, such for example as felt.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1.-A removable metal partition for dividing a room, comprising a rigidmetal framework, including upright members and horizontal members, theuppermost and lowermost of said horizontal members being insulated fromthe ceiling and floor of the room and the endmost of said uprightmembers being insulated from the adjoining walls of the room, thereby todampen and substantially prevent the transmission of vibrations to saidframework, and metal side panels removably supported from saidhorizontal members and being completely insulated therefrom to preventmetal-to-metal contact therebetween.

2. A removable metal partition, comprising a rigid metal framework,removable metal panels for the opposite sides of said framework, meanscarried by said panels for supporting the same on said framework, andinsulating means disposed between all points of engagement between saidsupporting means and framework and between said panels and framework,whereby no metal-tometal contact between said panels and framework isobtained.

3. A removable metal partition, comprising a rigid metal frameworkincluding upright members and horizontal members, the endmost of saidupright members being insulated from the vertical walls of a room to bedivided, the upper and lower horizontal members being insulated from theceiling and floor of the room, metal side panels at opposite sides ofsaid framework, means for removably supporting said side panels fromcertain of said horizontal members, and nonmetallic sound insulatingmeans disposed between said metal side panels and said upright andhorizontal members, whereby no metalto-metal contact is made betweensaid side panels and said upright and horizontal members.

4. A metal partition comprising a rigid metal framework, non-metallicv1brat1on dampening means extending completely around and havingcontinuous contact w1th the peripheral surfaces of said framework, andarranged to have continuous contact with the walls, ceiling and floor ofthe buildmg in which the paf'tltion is to be positioned to dampen andsubstantially prevent the transmission of vibrations to said framework,metal side panels supported from the op 0- site sides of said framework,means insu ating said side panels from said framework to obviate metalcontact therebetween, said panels also having continuous sealed contactwith said framework to substantially prevent the passage of soundbetween the same and said framework.

5. A metal partition comprising a rigid metal framework, non-metallicdampening means extending completely around and having continuouscontact with the peripheral surfaces of said framework, and arranged tohave continuous contact with the walls, ceiling and floor of thebuilding in which the partition is to be positioned to dampen andsubstantially prevent the transmission of v1- brations to saidframework, means carried by said framework 'to firmly and continuouslypress said dampening means continuously throughout its length intointimate contact with the walls, ceiling and floor, metal side panelssupported from the opposite sides of said framework, means insulatingsaid side panels from said framework to obviate metal contacttherebetween, said panels also having continuous sealed contact withsaid framework to substantially prevent the passage of sound between thesame and said framework.

'6. A metal partition comprising a rigid framework including spacedupright members of a length less than the height of the walls of a roomin which said partition is to be positioned, and upper and lower crossmembers extending between said upright members, insulating means havingvibration dampening characteristics interposed between and havingcontinuous engagement with the upright members and the walls of the roomand between said upper and lower members and the ceiling and floorrespectively of the room to substantially prevent the transmission ofvibrations to said partition,and metal side panels supported fromopposite sides of said framework, said panels having continuously sealednon-metallic engagement with said framework.

7. A metal partition comprising a rigid means carried by metal frameworkincluding upright members and horizontal members, insulating meanshaving vibration dampening characteristics extending the full length ofthe uppermost and lowermost of said horizontal members, means carried bysaid framework for forcing said insulating means throughout the entirelength thereof into intimate contact with the fioor and ceiling of aroom in which the partition is to be located, said insulating meanshaving continuous sealed engagement with said uppermost and lowermosthorizontal members, side panels supported from opposite sides of saidframework and insulating means between said framework and side panels toobviate metal-to-metal contact therebetween, said panels havingcontinuous sealed engagement with said uppermost and lowermosthorizontal members and with the endmost of said upright members.

8. A metal partition comprising a rigid metal framework includingupright members and horizontal members, compressible insulating meansextending the full length of said framework for supporting the same on afloor, means carried by the framework for forcing said insulating meansinto continuous sealed engagement with the floor, said insulating meanshaving continuous sealed engagement with the lower of said horizontalmembers, a second compressible insulating and extending the full lengthof said framework in continuous sealed engagement with the upper of saidhorizontal members, means for forcing said second insulating means intocontinuous sealed engagement with a ceiling, metal side panels atopposite sides of said framework, means for supporting said side panelsfrom said framework, and non-metallic insulating means between said lastmeans and framework, said side panels also having non-metalliccontinuous sealed engagement with said lower and upper horizontalmembers.

9. A metal partition comprising a rigid metal framework includingupright members and horizontal members, compressible insulating meansextending the full length of said framework for supporting the same on afloor, means carried by the framework for forcingsaid insulating meansinto continuous sealed engagement with the floor, said insulating meanshaving continuous sealed engagement with the lower of said horizontalmembers, a second compressible insulating means carried by and extendingthe full length of said framework in continuous sealed engagement withthe upper of said horizontal members, means for forcing said secondinsulating means into continuous sealed engagement with a ceiling,insulating means extending in full length continuous engagement with theendmost of said upright members for continuous sealed engagement withthe walls of a room, metal side panels at opposite sides of saidframework, means for supporting said side panels from sald framework,and non-metallic insulatlng means between said last means and framework,said side panels also having non-metallic continuous sealed engagementwith said lower and upper horizontal members and with the endmost ofsaid upright members.

10. A metal partition comprising a rigid framework having a lowerinverted horizontal channel, upright members supported thereby, crossmembers extending between said upright members, and an upper channelsupported by said framework, a compressible vibration dampening elementextending into said lower channel the full length thereof for supportingsaid channel out of contact with a floor, means carried by said lowerchannel to force said dampening element into continuous sealedengagement with the floor, a second compressible vibration dampeningelement mounted in said upper channel the full length thereof, meanscarried by said upper channel for forcing said second dampening elementinto continuous sealed engagement with a ceiling, both said dampeningelements having continuous sealed engagement with their respectivechannels, and metal side panels secured as opposite sides of saidframework.

11. A metal partition comprising a rigid framework having a lowerinverted horizontal channel, upright members supported thereby, crossmembers extending between said upright members, and an upper channelsupported by said framework, a compressible vibration dampenin elementextending into said lower channel t 1e full length thereof forsupporting said channel out of contact with a floor, means carried bysaid lower channel to force said dampening element into continuoussealed engagement with the floor, a second compressible vibrationdampening element mounted in said upper channel the full length thereof,means carried by said upper channel for forcing said second dampcningelement into continuous sealed engagement with a ceiling, both saiddampening elements having continuous sealed engagement with theirrespective channels, metal side panels supported from opposite sides ofsaid framework, and non-metallic means insulating said side panels fromall metallic engagement with said frame, said side panels having sealedcontinuous engagement with said channel members.

12. A removable metal partition comprising a rigid metal frameworkincluding upright members and horizontal members, the endmost of saidupright members being insulated from the vertical walls of a room to bedivided, the upper and lower horizontal members being insulated from theceiling and floor of the room, metal side panels at opposite sides ofsaid framework, means for rereverses movably supporting said side panelsfrom certain of said horizontal members, and nonmetallic soundinsulating means disposed between said metal side panels and saidupright and horizontal members, whereby no metal-to-metal contact ismade between said side panels and said upri ht and horizontal members,said side panels aving continuous sealed engagement with at least theendmost of'said upright members and the uppermost and lowermost of saidhorizontal members.

13. A removable metal partition, comprising a self-sustaining rigidmetal framework including upright members and horizontal members,certain of said horizontal members having upwardly extending sideflanges, removable metal panels at opposite sides of said framework andhaving hooked members engageable with said flanges for supporting saidpanels from said horizontal members, non-metallic, vibration-insulatingmeans between said hook members and flanges, a nonmetallic,vibration-insulating means between said panels and framework to preventmetalto-metal contact therebetween, said panels having sealed engagementwith at least the endmost of said upright members and with at least theuppermost and lowermost of said horizontal members.

14. A removable metal partition for dividing a room, comprising a rigidmetal framework, including upright members and horizontal members, theuppermost and lowermost of said horizontal members being insulated fromthe ceiling and floor of the room and the endmost ofsaid .uprightmembers being insulated from the ad Qining walls of the room, thereby todampen and substantial ly prevent the transmission of vibrations to saidframework, metal side panels at opposite sides of said framework andbeing insulated therefrom, means for supporting said panels from saidhorizontal members, and means insulating said last means from saidhorizontal members to prevent metal contact therebetween.

15. A removable metal partition for dividing a room, comprising a rigidmetal framework, including upright members and horizontal members, theuppermost and lowermost of said horizontal members being in sulated fromthe ceiling and floor of the room and the endmost of said uprightmembers being insulated from the adjoinin walls of the room, thereby todampen an substantially prevent the transmission of vibrations to saidframework, metal side panels at opposite sides of said framework, soundabsorbing material between said panels and framework, means forsupporting said panels from said horizontal members, and nonmetallicmeans insulating said supporting means from said horizontal members.

16. A removable metal dpartition, comprising a self-sustaining rigimetal framework including upright members and horizontal members,certain of said horizontal members having upwardly extending sideflanges, re movable metal panels at opposite sides of said framework andhaving hooked members engageable with said flanges for supporting saidpanels from said horizontal members, non-metallic insulating meansbetween said hook members and flanges, and non-metallic insulating meansbetween said'panels and framework to prevent metal-to-metal contacttherebetween.

17. A building wall comprising a rigid framework, metal panels for theopposite sides of said framework, means for suspending said metal panelsfrom said framework in non-contacting spaced relation, insulating meansdisposed between said framework and suspending means whereby nometal-to-metal contact is obtained between said metal panels andframework, and insulating means disposed between the panels andextending substantially throughout the area of the wall.

18. A metal wall for dividing a room comprising a rigid framework,insulation material having vibration dampening characteristics forinsulating said framework from the ceiling and floor of the room, metalpanels for the opposite sides of said framework, means for suspendingsaid metal panels from said framework in non-contacting spaced relation, and insulating means disposed between said framework andsuspending means whereby no metal-to-metal contact is obtained betweensaid metal panels and framework.

19. A metal wall for dividing a room comprising a framework includingrigid cross members, insulation material having vibration dampeningcharacteristics for insulating said framework from the ceiling and floorof the room, metal panels for the opposite sides of said framework,means for suspending said metal panels from said framework innon-contacting spaced relation, insulating means disposed between saidframework and suspending means whereby no metal-tometal contact isobtained between said metal panels and framework, and non-metallicinsulation material disposed in the spaces between said panels andframework.

In testimony whereof I affix mv signature.

HUGO L. WALTERS.

